In building your dream house, you don’t always have to follow interior design trends. As Jen and Noel Diaz learned while constructing their family home, going against popular choices can result in a unique and personalized space. The couple explains that they chose a clean but refreshing Modern Filipino style because most of the other homes at the time of the planning process were influenced by the Balinese look.

To marry the old and the new, architect Jouie Rumpal Tumanda designed a modern structure furnished with locally-made furniture and accessories. In the contemporary space, the clean lines, white walls, and clear floor-to-ceiling windows emphasize the beauty of the pieces made from natural materials. The earthy colors and rich textures of the wooden elements lend warmth to the space. Notable items include a daybed by internationally-acclaimed furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, a Spun chair by Thomas Heatherwick, and a colorful Paul Gustilo painting. The property is also interesting because most of the wood used and the steel handrails of the staircase are actually recycled scrap material.

Read the original article ("Bring Back the Old") in the August 2011 issue of Real Living Magazine. To download a digital copy of Real Living Magazine, visit Summit Newsstand at https://summitnewsstand.com.ph/real-living.